Question about N-400 Form

[alwaysa]

I am sending in my n-400 application soon and wanted to confirm a few things:

1. In this form it mentioned that I could click yes if I want to change my name which I do. Should I do that or wait till the interview to do so?

2. The form asks for 5 years previous addresses where i lived. Now I wanted to make sure I enter the exact same dates/information I put in my previous applications if they asked it. I can't seem to find this question in the first and second green card applications. So Does anyone remember whether this question was asked previously?

3. I know its pretty easy to count the days/trips for the international travel part of the form. Just in case I make a mistake by a day or so, does that affect my application?

4. Anyone from california recently apply for their citizenship? I am wondering how long it took? I know of someone who it took 6 months in total from application to oath ceremony. Anyone had a shorter time period?

5. What documents do you provide with the application? With previous green card applications we sent all bank account info, memberships, children bc, photos, bills etc. Are we supposed to send the same proof of 3 years as evidence?

Thanks in advance and appreciate any advice.

[rayb]

Please see my responses in CAPS after your questions below:

I am sending in my n-400 application soon and wanted to confirm a few things:

1. In this form it mentioned that I could click yes if I want to change my name which I do. Should I do that or wait till the interview to do so?

DO IT WHEN YOU COMPLETE THE APPLICATION. SOME USCIS OFFICES HAVE ARRANGEMENTS WITH LOCAL COURTS TO ACCOMMODATE NAME CHANGES AS PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

2. The form asks for 5 years previous addresses where i lived. Now I wanted to make sure I enter the exact same dates/information I put in my previous applications if they asked it. I can't seem to find this question in the first and second green card applications. So Does anyone remember whether this question was asked previously?

YOUR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS WOULD HAVE REQUESTED 5 YEARS OF ADDRESSES ON THE G-325A FORM.
THE REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS DOES NOT REQUEST 5 YEARS OF ADDRESSES, BUT DOES REQUEST ALL PRIOR ADDRESSES SINCE OBTAINING FIRST GREEN CARD. THE N-400 ONLY REQUESTS ADDRESSES FOR 5 YEARS SINCE ISSUANCE OF FIRST GREEN CARD.

3. I know its pretty easy to count the days/trips for the international travel part of the form. Just in case I make a mistake by a day or so, does that affect my application?

NOPE, A DAY OR SO WILL NOT BE A 'DEAL BREAKER.'

4. Anyone from california recently apply for their citizenship? I am wondering how long it took? I know of someone who it took 6 months in total from application to oath ceremony. Anyone had a shorter time period?

INTERVIEWING OFFICES (SACRAMENTO, SAN FRANCISCO, SAN JOSE, ETC.) VARY IN WAITING TIME BEFORE INTERVIEW, BUT 5 OR 6 MONTHS SEEMS ABOUT AVERAGE IN ALL OFFICES IN CALIFORNIA, FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD. A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK, MANY WERE GETTING INTERVIEW DATES AT FRESNO AND SACRAMENTO AFTER ONLY 3 MONTHS.

5. What documents do you provide with the application? With previous green card applications we sent all bank account info, memberships, children bc, photos, bills etc. Are we supposed to send the same proof of 3 years as evidence?

DEPENDS ON WHETHER YOU ARE APPLYING WITH 3-YEAR OR 5-YEAR RULE

FOR 3-YEAR RULE, YOU NEED GOOD EVIDENCE OF MARITAL COHABITATION AND COMMINGLING OF FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.
FOR 5-YEAR RULE, YOU NEED ONLY TWO PHOTOS, GREEN CARD COPY AND FEE. I WOULD ALSO ADVISE COPY OF MOST RECENT FORM 1040 FROM FEDERAL TA RETURN.

Thanks in advance and appreciate any advice.

[alwaysa]

Please see my responses in CAPS after your questions below:

Thank you so much!!! I am applying for the 3 year rule through marriage. I guess this means everything we provided earlier? I will just provide "additional" pictures from the last one year (since my last application and since we had another baby), and also the same proof of shared ownership or lease, financials etc and tax returns etc. I was wondering I have seen several posts about people who haven't applied for their taxes for a specific year....Is this based on the applicant or their husband, or does it not matter? I think my husband has applied for all the previous years but just in case there was some freelance income he missed will it affect my application?

[rayb]

Your tax return copies are only to show that you filed tax returns together (jointly or married/separate).

--Ray B

Thank you so much!!! I am applying for the 3 year rule through marriage. I guess this means everything we provided earlier? I will just provide "additional" pictures from the last one year (since my last application and since we had another baby), and also the same proof of shared ownership or lease, financials etc and tax returns etc. I was wondering I have seen several posts about people who haven't applied for their taxes for a specific year....Is this based on the applicant or their husband, or does it not matter? I think my husband has applied for all the previous years but just in case there was some freelance income he missed will it affect my application?